Method of labelling cylindrical objects

ABSTRACT

THIS DISCLOSURE RELATES TO A METHOD OF LABELLING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS WHEREIN THE OBJECTS ARE PRIMARILY IN THE FORM OF TUBES WHICH ARE FLEXIBLE. THE LABEL IS SUPPLIED IN WEB FORM AND INITIALLY A CORRECT LENGTH OF THE WEB IS CUT OFF AND CARRIED BY A DRUM PAST AN ADHESIVE APPLICATOR AFTER WHICH THE SECTION OF THE WEB IS APPLIED TO A TUBE. THE TUBE IS CARRIED BY A TURRET AND IS PRESSURIZED AT THE TIME THE WEB IS BEING APPLIED THERETO. THE TUBE IS ROTATED DURING THE APPLICATION OF THE LABEL WITH THE TWO BEING ROTATED AT THE SAME SPEED AS THE LABELS BEING FED. THE LABELLED TUBE IS LATER CUT INTO INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS.

May 4, 1971 E. K. RITTERHOFF METHOD OF LABELLING CYLINDRICAL OBJECTSOriginal Filed Sept. l9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ERIC K.RlTTERHOFF m ABI'TORNEYS United States Patent METHOD OF LABELLINGCYLINDRICAL OBJECTS Eric K. Ritterholf, Hinsdale, Ill., assignor toContinental Can Company, Inc., New York, NY.

Original application Sept. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 224,660, now Patent No.3,404,059, dated Oct. 1, 1968. Divided and this application Aug. 9,1968, Ser. No. 751,439

' Int. Cl. B3211 31/20; B65c 3/12 U.S. Cl. 156-156 4 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a method of labellingcylindrical objects wherein the objects are primarily in the form oftubes which are flexible. The label is supplied in web form andinitially a correct length of the web is cut off and carried by a drumpast an adhesive applicator after which the section of the web isapplied to a tube. The tube is carried by a turret and is pressurized atthe time the web is being applied thereto. The tube is rotated duringthe application of the label with the two being rotated :at the samespeed as the labels being fed. The labelled tube is later cut intoindividual sections.

This application is a division of my copendng application Ser. No.224,660, filed Sept. 19, 1962, now Pat. No. 3,404,059 and granted Oct.1, 1968.

This invention particularly relates to the application of a label to athin wall flexible tube which has insufficient rigidity to be supportedin a normal manner for the reception of a label. A typical tube is thatused as a casing for small diameter flashlight batteries, such aspenlight cells. In accordance with this invention, it is proposed tosupply labels in the form of a continuous web which is directed to alabel applying drum and which is cut into strips extending transverselyof the web, after which each strip is wrapped around a tube followed bythe later cutting off of the tube into lengths corresponding to thelabel arrangement.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel method ofapplying labels to thin flexible tubes wherein the labels are furnishedin the form of a continuous web, which web is cut into elongated stripsextending transversely of the web and at the same time are received by alabel applying drum, after which adhesive is applied to the label stripsand the label strips wound around tubes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel method ofwrapping a thin wall tube from material of a continuously movingdecorated web wherein the web is engaged by a rotating cutter moving ata greater rate than the Web to sever a transverse strip from the web andsimultaneously advancing that portion of the web engaged by the cutterat the same speed as the cutter, thereby preventing relative movementbetween the web and the cutter during the severing operation.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by areference to the following detailed description, the appended claims andthe several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view showing generally the details ofthe apparatus which is the subject of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a web of labels which is tobe applied in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a tube to be wrapped with a label andan associated label strip.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a labelled tube formed inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a label sectionbeing applied to a tube.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a cuttercooperating with a label drum for severing a section from the constantlymoving web.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through a tube and showsthe manner in which the tube is engaged and pressurized by a pair ofopposed chucks.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG.1 wherein there are shown the over-all details of the label applyingapparatus, which apparatus is generally referred to by the numeral 40.In accordance with the invention, tubesto which labels are to beapplied, which tubes are generally referred to by the letter T, aresupplied from a tube hopper 41. The tubes T are delivered to a tubeturret, generally referred to by the numeral 42, as the tube turret 42is indexed by means of a hopper discharge control or gate mechanism,generally referred to by the numeral 43. The tubes T supported by thetube turret 42 are indexed therewith and a label applying drum,generally referred to by the numeral 44, applies a strip label L to thetube with the label L being wrapped around the tube T. As the tubeturret 42 continues to rotate in the indexing thereof, the labelled tubeis ejected into a tube discharge unit, generally referred to by thenumeral 45.

The label L which is wrapped about each tube is obtained from acontinuous web 46 which is pre-decorated. The web 46 is fed by a mainweb feed 47 and an auxiliary web feed 48 of a conventional type with theWeb feed 47 being driven in a manner to provide for registration of theweb 46. It is to be understood that the alignment of web 46 isperiodically adjusted during feeding thereof by the web feed 47 with theadjustments being made by a suitable conventional mechanism so as toobtain the desired web registration. The properly registered web 46passes beneath and into engagement with the label applying drum 44 wherea transverse section of the web 46 is cut as it is fed by means of acutter generally referred to by the numeral 49. The cut-off label L isretained on the label applying drum 44 and adhesive or glue is appliedthereto by means of an adhesive applicator, generally referred to by thenumeral 50. It is this label with the adhesive or glue applied to theouter facing surface thereof which is wrapped about each tube carried bythe tube turret 42.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 wherein the general details of a tube Tare illustrated. The tube T may be of any construction although theillustrated tube is a spirally wound tube. It is to be understood thatthe tube T is normally an elongated flexible tube of small diameterwhich is incapable of being self-supporting. However, there is no reasonwhy the invention could not be utilized to apply labels to rigid tubes.After the label I. is applied to the tube T, the labelled tube appearsas is shown in FIG. 4.

It is to be understood that the tube turret 42 has a plurality ofstations at which a tube T is supported. Each tube T is supported by apair of opposed chuck members 118 and 145 in the manner best illustratedin FIG. 7. Each chuck member 118 has a rounded end 120 adapted to beengaged within a tube T. Each chuck member 118 is provided adjacent therounded end thereof with an annular groove 12.3 in which there is seateda pair of spaced apart O-rings 124. The chuck member 118 has alongitudinal bore therethrough which opens through the right end thereofinto the associated tube and the left end thereof is associated in anydesired manner with an air supply line 157. The chuck member 118 isprovided with a transverse bore 127 which intersects the bore 125 andwhich opens into the. recess 123 intermediate the O-rings 124 so as toprovide air under pressure to the O-rings 124 for the purpose ofefiecting a positive seal between the O-rings 124 and the tube T.

The chuck member 145 also has a rounded end 148 which is adapted to bereceived within the tube T. An axial bore 149 opens through the left endof the. chuck member 145 and a transverse bore 150 intersects the axialbore 149. The transverse bore 150 opens into an annular recess 151 inwhich there is seated a pair of O-rings 152. In this manner air issupplied to the O-rings 152 to assure a proper seal with the tube T.

It is to be noted that the chuck members 118 and 145 are provided withgear portions 128 and 153, respectively, which are utilized in therotation of the chuck members and the tube during the application of alabel to the tube.

Referring now to FIG. in particular, it will be seen that there isassociated with each pair of chuck members 118, 145 a pair of back-uprolls 162. The back-up rolls 162 extend parallel to the general positionof a tube T carried by the chuck members 118, 145 and are provided withgear rings 133 which are meshed with the gear rings 128 and 153 of thechuck members. In this manner, the back-up rolls 162 not only serve tosupport the central portion of a tube T, but also cooperate with thechuck members 118 and 145 to rotate a tube carried by the chuck members.

As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the. label applying drum 44 includesa drum element 241. The drum element 241 is interrupted at fourcircumferentially spaced points by openings 242 which extend the fulllength of the drum element 241. A bar 243 is disposed in alignment witheach of the openings 242 and inwardly thereof.

A label engaging plate 244 overlies each of the bars 243. The plates 244may be considered vacuum plates in that vacuum means are provided in theplates 244 for the purpose of releaseably holding a label strip in placeon the label applying drum 44. Each of the bars 243 is provided with anelongated chamber 249 in the outer face thereof. The overlying portionof the respective plate 244 is provided with radiating bores 250 whichopen inwardly into the chamber 249 and which terminate at their outerends in reduced diameter orifices 251. Thus, when a vacuum is drawn inthe chamber 249, a label strip engaging the outer surface of the plateis held in place by a vacuum drawn through the orifices 251. It is to beunderstood that suitable valving, not a part of this invention, willcontrol the application of a vacuum to the chamber 249.

It is also pointed out at this time that it is desired to direct an airblast to the chamber 249 of each of the bars 243 and thus the valving(not shown) will also be arranged to provide such an air blast at theappropriate time.

In accordance with the invention, a label strip is applied to each ofthe plates 244 in its respective turn in a manner to be describedhereinafter, after which the label strip is held in place on therespective plate 244 by vacuum being drawn through the orifices 251until such time as the label applying drum 44 has rotated to positionthe label strip L against a tube T held by the tube turret 42, as isbest shown in FIG. 5. As the label strip rotates with the label applyingdrum 44, an adhesive is normally applied thereto by means of the glueapplicator 50. As the label strip approaches the tube T to which it isto be applied, it is necessary that the leading edge of the label beforced into engagement with and partially around the tube T which isrotating to ensure the wrapping of the. label strip around the tube. Tothis end, there is provided adjacent each of the plates 244 a tuckerplate 27 6. The tucker plate 276 is disposed along the advancing edge ofthe associated plate 244 and also bears against an associated bar 243.Each bar 243 also carries an elongated guide 277. It is to be noted thatwhile the tucker plate 276 moves inwardly and outwardly, the movementthereof is not quite radial and such to provide for the proper movementof the leading edge of the label strip L around the associated tube T.

For each of the tucker plates 276 is a shaft 285 which extends along theinner part of the respective tucker plate 276. The shaft 285 issupported in bearing brackets 286 carried by the adjacent bar 243. Thebearing brackets 286 are spaced longitudinally of the shaft 285.

At this time it is pointed out that the shaft 285 is periodicallyrotated first counterclockwise and then clockwise so as to effect theprojection and retraction of the tucker blade 276 in timed relation tothe rotation of the label drum 44. In order that the rotation of theshaft 285 may be imparted to the tucker blade 276, the tucker blade 276has secured thereto a rack 288 which meshes with a gear 289 carried bythe shaft 285 for rotation therewith.

At this time it is pointed out that the chuck members 118 and arerotated by the rotating label applying drum 44. In order to accomplishthis, for each of the plates 244 there is a pair of gear segments 295.The gear segments 295 are positioned at the ends of the plates 244. Thegear segments 295 are aligned with the gears 128 and 153 of the chuckmembers 118 and 145, respectively.

The general details of the cutter assembly 49 and the function thereofare best shown in FIG. 6. The cutter assembly 49 includes a shaft 300-which is suitably mounted for rotation. The shaft 300 includes anelongated central hub portion 309 which is specifically configurated forthe reception of two knives 310. The knives 310 are disposed indiametrically opposite relation and are suitably secured to the hub 309.It is to be understood that the knives 310 contact a hardened surface onthe label applying drum 44 and cooperate therewith to eifect the cuttingof the label strip L from the web 46.

In order to assure the movement of the leading edge of the web 46against a respective plate 244 of the label applying drum 44 whereby thecut off label strip L may be retained on the label applying drum 44, thecutter assembly 49 also includes a suitable air blast unit. This airblast unit includes a pair of longitudinally extending passages 316formed in the hub 309. Suitable means (not shown) are provided forsupplying air under pressure to the passages 316 in timed relation tothe rotation of the cutter assembly 49. A plurality of longitudinallyspaced, radially extending passages 317 open through the peripheralsurface of the hub 309 for the purpose of directing air against theunderside of the web 46 in the manner generally shown in FIG. 6.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the adhesiveapplicator 50 includes a conventional type of glue pot 320 in whichthere is mounted for rotation a glue pick-up roll 321. The glue pick-uproll 321 applies glue to a glue applying roll 322 which has a raisedsegment 323. The raised segment 323 corresponds approximately inperipheral length to the width of the label strip L and is the onlyportion of the glue applicator roll which is engaged by the glue pick-uproll 321 and to which the glue is transferred.

It is to be understood that as the label applying drum 44 rotates andpresents a label strip L to the glue applying I011 322, the projectingportion 323 of the glue applying roll 322 comes into contact with theexposed surface of the label strip and applies the desired adhesivethereto.

It is to be understood that the web 46 is continuously printed with theprinting being so spaced on the web whereby the label strip -L which isto be cut therefrom will be of a proper width for wrapping around a tubeT. The web 46 enters the label applying apparatus 40 over an idler roll350. The web 46 passes from the idler roll 350 around a main feed roll354. The main feed roll 354 is backed up by a feed roll 355.

A pair of arms 358 extend upwardly at opposite ends of the feed roll 354with the arms 358 being journalled on the shaft of the feed roll 354 forpivotal movement. The

arms 358 carry an auxiliary feed roll 361. The web 46 passes around andover the feed roll 361 after it passes over the feed roll 354.

The arms 358 also carry a web engaging roll 365 which is resilientlyurged towards the roll 361 and which clamps the web against the feedroll 361.

It is pointed out at this time that the peripheral speed of the labelapplying drum 44 and the knife 'blade 310 is much greater than thelinear speed of the web 46. Accordingly, it is desirable that theportion of the web 46 engaged by the blades 310 momentarily speed upduring the cutting operation so that there will be no relative movementbetween the blades and the web during the cutting operations. This isaccomplished by having the upper ends of the arms 358 moved to the rightat the time a label strip L is being cut from the web 46.

The rocking movement of the arms 358 in timed relation to the operationof the blades 310 is effected by means of cams 373 carried by the shaft300 and engaged by followers 372 carried by projecting ears 371 on thearms 358. It will be understood that the arms 358 are resiliently urgedtowards the cams 373 in a manner not shown.

In accordance with the invention, and the operation of the labelapplying apparatus 44, a previously printed continuous web 46 issupplied. The web 46 is delivered to the cutter assembly 49 by the webfeed 48. The leading edge of the web 46 underlies the label applyingdrum 44 and an air blast from the cutter assembly 49 urges the leadingportion of the web 46 up into engagement with an associated vacuum plate240 for the label applying drum 44.

As the respective vacuum plate 244 comes into alignment with the leadingportion of the web 46, a vacuum is drawn through the orifices 251 of thevacuum plate 244 and the leading portion of the web 46 is accuratelyoriented with respect to the label applying drum 44.

As the label applying drum 44 rotates and the leading portion of the web46 begins to adhere to the vacuum plate 244, the cutter assembly 49cooperates with the label applying drum 44 to sever the leading portionof the web 46. That portion of the web 46 which is severed is apredetermined portion which is to be wrapped around a tube T and is inthe form of a plurality of longitudinally aligned labels, the labelsextending transversely across the web 46. That portion of the web 46removed by the cutter assembly 49 and adhering to the respective vacuumplate 244' of the label applying drum 44 is considered a label strip L,as has been described before.

The label strip L is carried by the label applying drum 44 in acounterclockwise direction, as is viewed in FIG. 1. As the label strip Lpasses the adhesive applicator 50, adhesive is applied to the outer facethereof by the glue applying roll 322 in the manner previouslydescribed. The label strip L, with glue or adhesive applied thereto, isthen continued to be moved upwardly in a counterclockwise direction bythe label applying drum 44 to a position underlying the tube turret 42.

The tube turret -42 recieves tubes T from the tube hopper 41. As thetube turret 42 is automatically indexed in timed relation to therotation of the label applying drum 44, the tube feed mechanism 43 isautomatically dripped so as to drop a tube T down onto a pair of theback-up rolls 162 underlying the tube hopper 41. As the tube turret 42begins to index, the chuck members 118 and 145 enter the opposite endsof the tube T. As the chuck member 1118 enters into the tube T, air issupplied therethrough into the interior of the tube T so that the tube Tis internally pressurized.

As the tube turret 42 is indexed, a tube T is brought into register withthe label applying drum 44 as the label strip L carried by the labelapplying drum approaches the tube. When the label applying drum 44reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the vacuum source to therespective vacuum plate 244 is discontinued and the shaft 285 of therespective tucker plate 276 is rotated to effect 6 the outward movementof the tucker plate. As the label applying drum 44 passes beneath thetube T to which a label strip L is being applied, the tucker plate 276continues to project outwardly from the label applying drum 44 to wrapthe leading edge of the label strip L around the tube T, as is bestshown in FIG. 5. At the same time, the respective gears 295 and thelabel applying drum- 44 rotate the chuck member 118 and and the back-uprolls 162 to rotate the tube carried thereby. Once the label strip L hasbeen initially soldered on the tube T, as is shown in FIG. 5, thecontinued rotation of the tube T will result in the complete wrapping ofthe label strip L therearound, with the back-up rolls 162 cooperating inpressing the label strip L against the surface of the tube T.

iIt is to be understood that the label applying drum 44 moves in thesame direction as the tube turret 42, a counterclockwise direction asthe drum and turret are viewed in FIG. 1, with the result that adjacentportions of the label applying drum 44 and the tube turret 42 move inopposite directions, the label applying drum 44 moving to the left andthe tube turret 42 moving to the right.

After the initial application of the label strip L to the tube T, therespective tucker plate 276 is withdrawn. As the label applying drum 44continues to rotate, a pressurized air supply is communicated with thecavity 249 of the respective vacuum plate 244 to clean the surfacethereof and to remove a label strip therefrom in the event the labelstrip is not transferred to a tube.

\As the tube turret 42 continues to rotate, the label tube is indexedinto alignment with the tube discharge assembly 45. At this point, thechuck members 118 and 145 have been withdrawn, and as they arewithdrawn, an ejector blade I168 at the particular station forces thelabelled tube into the tube discharge assembly between the conveyorbelts 187 and 188 thereof for eventual discharge of the label tube bythe tube discharge assembly. A labelled tube is delivered by theconveyor belt 188 onto a tube support plate 183 beneath a third endlessconveyor belt 204 which rolls the tube along the plate 183 and off thesloping end thereof.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the method of applying labels totubes has been specifically illustrated and described, it is to beunderstood that minor modifications may be made therein within thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of providing decorated strips comprising the steps ofproviding a continuously moving decorated web, engaging the Web with arotating cutter moving at a greater rate than the web to sever atransverse strip from the web while simultaneously advancing a limitedportion only of the web including all of that portion of the web engagedby the cutter at the same speed as the cutter, to prevent relativemovement between the web and the cutter during the severing operation.

2. The method of claim 1 together with the step of engaging a leadingedge of the web by a strip removing member moving at the same peripheralspeed as the cutter and cooperating with the cutter in the severing ofthe strip while holding the severed strip, and wherein a severed stripis applied to a tube by the strip removing member.

3. The method of claim 1 together with the step of engaging a leadingedge of the web by a strip removing member moving at the same peripheralspeed as the cutter and cooperating with the cutter in the severing ofthe strip while holding the severed strip, and wherein a severed stripis applied to a tube by the strip removing member while the tube isbeing rotated by the strip removing member.

4. A method of wrapping a thin walled tube comprising the steps ofinserting chuck members into opposite ends of the tube, internallypressuring the tube through one of the chuck members, and then whilerotating the tube moving a wrapper adjacent the tube and positivelymoving a leading edge of the wrapper partially around and into positivecontact with the tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Jasper et a1. 53216X Charles53-21 1X Schrotz 1 5 6-3 63 Herman 156-187 Hutchinson 15 65 66X Gresc eta1. 15 6-5 21 .Andersson 15 6--450 8 Belcher et al. 156-458X Schnur eta1. 156--277X Schur 229-93X Fischer et a1. 156--566X Flood 156567XBiddle 156250X Pechmann 156568X Raymond et al. 1S6--250X 10 HAROLDANSI-1BR, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

